Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus

(A. n. nisus)

Armenian Name:	Լորաճուռակ

See Plate 11 for Eurasian Sparrowhawk and other similar species See Plate 15 for Eurasian Sparrowhawk and other similar species in flight

Flight Characteristics:	Short broad rounded wings, and long banded tail. Male dark gray above, finely barred reddish below. Female and juvenile brown above with brown barring below. Flies like Levant Sparrowhawk. Hunts low and fast through trees and scrub.
Resident Status:	Year-round resident
Abundance:	Uncommon
Length:	28-38 cm, Wing Span:55-70 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 42.
Description:	Secretive raptor with faint white supercilium, short round wings, and long tail.
Adult:	Male markedly smaller than female, dark gray above, dark crown, reddish cheek, and white underparts with dense reddish barring. Female is dark brown-gray above, wider brown barring below.
Juvenile:	Like female but browner with narrow orangish feather edges above, irregular brown bars below.
Similar Species:	Northern Goshawk, Levant Sparrowhawk.
Behavior:	Flies with a series of rapid wingbeats followed by a short glide. Hunts in woodlands, edges, and open areas, capturing prey both on ground and in air.
Habitat:	Woodland openings, abandoned orchards, parks.
Food:	Small birds.
Nest:	Pile of twigs with deep cup in fork of tree.
Eggs:	40 mm, 4-5, bluish-white, brown blotches.